The Light Goose Conservation Order (LGCO) is an excellent opportunity to extend the waterfowl season, but pinpointing this fast-paced migration can be a daunting task. Ice, snow, and food supplies dictate when and where millions of light geese will migrate north in the spring, and knowing where these conditions collide should lead you to the birds. Whether freelancing or planning a guided trip, the following destinations should be at the top of any LGCO hunter's list.

As winter winds begin to shift, light geese are preparing to move north. For those willing to brave the unpredictable elements offered by spring snow goose hunting, quality gear is imperative. The following items are just a small sampling of the gear that may help improve this year's Light Goose Conservation Order for you and your hunting partners.

DU launches new film series for waterfowlers; web series begins this month

Ducks Unlimited is launching an online film series that explores the lives and stories of duck hunters across the country. Find out why they became hunters, what drives their passion, and how they are passing on the traditions. Going beyond the confines and formulas of traditional duck hunting shows, DU Films will present the beauty and passion of waterfowling in new and unexpected ways. At the heart of this series is a drive to conserve the habitats that make it all possible.

DU Films will begin airing this month on the Ducks Unlimited website. Stay tuned to ducks.org and DU's Facebook and Twitter pages for more information.

Partners on Private Lands

DU is working with private landowners and other partners to implement Farm Bill conservation programs in high-priority areas

In February 2014, Congress passed a new Farm Bill that authorized several agriculture and conservation programs through 2018. This nearly half-trillion-dollar legislative package provides more than $28 billion in funding over five years for voluntary conservation programs on farms and ranches across the United States. The future of waterfowl is inextricably linked to the conservation of wetlands and other important habitats on private lands, and the Farm Bill is a key component of these efforts. The vast majority of the land in many of Ducks Unlimited's highest-priority conservation areas—including the Prairie Pothole Region, Mississippi Alluvial Valley, Great Lakes, Gulf Coast, and California's Central Valley—is privately owned, and agriculture is the predominant land use.

Temperatures in the Midwest and the Plains have plummeted, but hardy light geese are already pushing the snow line on their return migration to the breeding grounds. Keep up with the fast-paced light goose migration and submit your hunting and habitat reports today.

Mission: Ducks Unlimited conserves, restores and manages wetlands and associated habitats for North America's waterfowl. These habitats also benefit other wildlife and people. Our vision is wetlands sufficient to fill the skies with waterfowl today, tomorrow and forever.